Ducati Servicing costs

[Quiff Wichard]

oh Pete , Lissa .. really sorry guys-

hope it all works out- only just picked this up from the \Gm iii thread.

[pink and white]

Thanks people for your comments, mostly sympathetic except YC :p

It's a 996, numbers, I think the ST3 has the 916 engine or maybe even an aircooled jobby.

The guy is an independent. The cases, gasket set, new bearings and shells (might as well replace them), oil, filter and antifreeze come to a grand, the labour £1100 quid, but it'll be better than original, then the dreaded VAT, £400.

The cases from a 916 won't do as the cylinder stud spacing is different although there is a s/h set of 996 ones for 300 quid. However new ones are only 500 quid so it seems daft to skimp there. Never very keen on s/h engines unless you know where they came from, and 996 ones aren't exactly common anyway. :(

It has been suggested we that buy a curvy and get back on the road that way and save the money for the surgery, and that's one thing we're considering. Another is to not have anything, so not go out for 5 months, save all our extra cash, and get the bike ready for GMIII, however Jeff, the mechanic, has just contacted us with an idea that saves quite a bit of money. More pondering :smt087

hi pete,sorry to haerd the problems.
is 2.5k to rebuild and replace the crankcase?if go ahead,may consider blue print the engine and other internal engine work(such as lighten crank shaft).because the engine is total strip apart.

allen

[Alpinestarhero]

Oh jeez, pete and lissa, just caught the update. Thats a bit crap really isn't it? 36,000 miles

mind you, these things happen. There are many people who look after their bikes and suffer major engine faliures and stuff. Maybe you just got unlucky with this one :-(

[thefallenangel]

never nice to have an engine lunch but for £2.5k does seem a bit steep. Interested to hear the alternative.

[steveg]

What a ****ter:smt119

Good luck sorting it :smt023

Cheers Steveg

[sunshine]

Pete drop the bike with the engine, the parts needed, £500 and the documents i will fix for you no trouble :D

[the_lone_wolf]

Pete drop the bike with the engine, the parts needed, £500 and the documents i will fix for you no trouble :D

You can hire a skip for much less than that...;)


Sorry to hear of the downtime P&L - she'll be back:cool:

[ThEGr33k]

No way!!!!!!!!!!! £2500??? Couldnt you buy another for that? :-?

Anyway, best of luck with the fix. Sorry that it's turned out ducati's infamous questionable reliability is well earnt :(

[yorkie_chris]

Thanks people for your comments, mostly sympathetic except YC :p

It's a 996, numbers, I think the ST3 has the 916 engine or maybe even an aircooled jobby.

The guy is an independent. The cases, gasket set, new bearings and shells (might as well replace them), oil, filter and antifreeze come to a grand, the labour £1100 quid, but it'll be better than original, then the dreaded VAT, £400.

Heh, if you expect sympathy when I say to everyone who listens (and a few who couldn't care...) "don't buy that wop crap it falls apart for a laugh" then you got another thing coming :smt044

Me, I'd probably fire it back together with some shim stock around the offending bearings and flog it. Probably last longer than any other duke owner is going to notice.

[Speedy Claire]

Only just read this post and I`m totally gutted for you both... I really hope you manage to sort this out, I can`t imagine the 2 of you going for long without a bike x

[petevtwin650]

No way!!!!!!!!!!! £2500??? Couldnt you buy another for that? :-?


Here's two that we were watching on Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260541297367&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320479387881&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

And the cheapest in MCN is £3,500, and Biketrader £3,900, but they'e both earlier 3 spoke models without the lighter wheels and Ohlins shock, the cheapest of those is £5,500 on both sites.

Must say, the prices took me a bit by surprise considering the time of year and the financial market. Obviously if we had the money we could buy the cheaper model, put the shock and wheels off of ours and sell the surplus, but we wouldn't know how good the new bikes engine would be either.

Jeff, who has helped us out quite a few times before, has come up with a plan, that saves us a considerable amount. Still not cheap by any stretch of the imagination, but liveable with.

Stay tuned. :cool:

[yorkie_chris]

I don't get how you could actually oval bore there. Could you take pic of damage to cases?
Is it visible deformation?

[Alpinestarhero]

I don't get how you could actually oval bore there. Could you take pic of damage to cases?
Is it visible deformation?

Could it not be due to the way the engine has some small "rocking" motion when acelerating / decelerating?

I'd like to see some pictures too. Is this a common problem by the way?

[petevtwin650]

I don't get how you could actually oval bore there. Could you take pic of damage to cases?
Is it visible deformation?

Could it not be due to the way the engine has some small "rocking" motion when acelerating / decelerating?

I'd like to see some pictures too. Is this a common problem by the way?

There is a lot of doubt on the Ducati site I go on as well, but Jeff has dealt with Ducatis for a number of years. Some of the problem is that not many 996s have done this many miles, although the touring version (ST4s) has the same engine, with actually a bit more power, and some of those have exceeded that mileage. Not a known or even rare fault apparently.

Will get pics of the cases once the job is done.

[yorkie_chris]

Could it not be due to the way the engine has some small "rocking" motion when acelerating / decelerating?

I'd like to see some pictures too. Is this a common problem by the way?

No it is shaft fixed in cases, engine rocks-so does shaft, bearing, job lot.

Torque on a gear creates a reaction force, if there is slop in action then that will be an impact. But the amount of alloy compared to the amount of steel moving is huge. I'd bet the bearing would be dust first, and then obviously you'd lose all primary drive and have horrendous gearbox wear.

[fastdruid]

I'd be tempted to go to Ducati direct and complain. You might not get anywhere, you might get a discount.

To have a bearing holder wear like that is quite frankly either a manufacturing defect, bad design or incorrectly assembled. Any of the those is Ducati's fault.

Druid

[yorkie_chris]

They give financial help for all other unreliabilities :-P

[ThEGr33k]

Those prices are pretty crazy 0_o

I was looking at potential track bikes the other day... 03 RSV-R 15K miles, a few online under £3000!!! They are the ones with Oz forged wheels, Ohlins all round, Radial Brembo mono-blocks up front and well probably the nicest RSV made (imo anyway). Im shocked that they are soooo cheap!

[Dicky Ticker]

Question--Is the engine evenly opposed on the V or have they pitched one cylinder slightly off to increase performance.This would result in an uneven throw on the crank resulting in an ovalling of the bearing housing.

[speedplay]

They give financial help for all other unreliabilities :-P


How have they never gone bust then?!:confused:

[yorkie_chris]

Question--Is the engine evenly opposed on the V or have they pitched one cylinder slightly off to increase performance.This would result in an uneven throw on the crank resulting in an ovalling of the bearing housing.

It is 90 deg twin IIRC. And not a main bearing that's the problem.

[petevtwin650]

I'd be tempted to go to Ducati direct and complain. You might not get anywhere, you might get a discount.

To have a bearing holder wear like that is quite frankly either a manufacturing defect, bad design or incorrectly assembled. Any of the those is Ducati's fault.

Druid

Remember, this is a 9 year old bike with 36k on the clock and several owners before us. Who's to say the recorded mileage is genuine? The actual mileage on the engine may considerably more.

They give financial help for all other unreliabilities :-P

They do YC, if our bike were a one owner machine, serviced regularly etc, and some rockers had gone, Ducati usually contribute all or some of the parts cost. But that was a known problem that took them a while to rectify.

Those prices are pretty crazy 0_o

I was looking at potential track bikes the other day... 03 RSV-R 15K miles, a few online under £3000!!! They are the ones with Oz forged wheels, Ohlins all round, Radial Brembo mono-blocks up front and well probably the nicest RSV made (imo anyway). Im shocked that they are soooo cheap!

Yep the R's are great value. To buy a 996 with that spec would cost in excess of 6k. That's the value that the name and heritage adds I suppose. Not saying I agree with that or it's neccessarily justified but that's market forces dictating things.

[yorkie_chris]

Yep the R's are great value. To buy a 996 with that spec would cost in excess of 6k. That's the value that the name and heritage adds I suppose. Not saying I agree with that or it's neccessarily justified but that's market forces dictating things.

Yeah you look like sort to buy prada handbag :smt044


On a serious note it is generally accepted to disconnect speedo when using a bike on track. But your bike looked too tidy to have spent much time on track.

[ThEGr33k]

Question--Is the engine evenly opposed on the V or have they pitched one cylinder slightly off to increase performance.This would result in an uneven throw on the crank resulting in an ovalling of the bearing housing.

What are we talking about the crank bearings becoming oval shaped? Pretty much any none Harley V2 is offset...

[fastdruid]

Remember, this is a 9 year old bike with 36k on the clock and several owners before us. Who's to say the recorded mileage is genuine? The actual mileage on the engine may considerably more.


So? Some parts its expected they will wear out, bearings, pistons, cams, gears etc. It needs a rebuild every 10k? Fine, but crankcases, at only 36k? I'd be ****ed and making sure Ducati knew it.

You have *nothing* to lose by approaching them and there is a chance they may help out.

Druid

[petevtwin650]

Visited G-Tec today on the spur of the moment and were delighted to find work had commenced on our stricken beauty.

We were able to get a vid of the movement

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i184/petevtwin650/Ducati/crankcase/th_crankcases001.jpg (http://s72.photobucket.com/albums/i184/petevtwin650/Ducati/crankcase/?action=view&current=crankcases001.flv)

We then spent an hour or so taking pics, having a cuppa and chatting to Jeff, who spent a lot of time explainiing stuff to me.

This was one cheaper option, pedals extra

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i184/petevtwin650/Ducati/crankcase/crankcases006.jpg

The two halves of the bike

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i184/petevtwin650/Ducati/crankcase/crankcases008.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i184/petevtwin650/Ducati/crankcase/crankcases022.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i184/petevtwin650/Ducati/crankcase/crankcases010.jpg

Mmmmm, shiny

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i184/petevtwin650/Ducati/crankcase/crankcases012.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i184/petevtwin650/Ducati/crankcase/crankcases026.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i184/petevtwin650/Ducati/crankcase/crankcases029.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i184/petevtwin650/Ducati/crankcase/crankcases030.jpg

[yorkie_chris]

By look of that he has not removed clutch or even clutch cover, how you know it is cases not shaft bearing?

[petevtwin650]

By look of that he has not removed clutch or even clutch cover, how you know it is cases not shaft bearing?

FFS Chris, he's already had the clutch off, that's my second hand Ebay clutch basket under there. He's had the hub off too and seen the bearing move up with the shaft. It was bolted back together when we said we couldn't afford to get it repaired.

I have 110% faith in Jeff. There are some good guys out there you know. :)

[yorkie_chris]

I am naturally suspicious :-P

What is plan to fix it cheap then?

[Seggons]

It looks like Lissa's just spotted a bit of dirt.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i184/petevtwin650/Ducati/crankcase/crankcases010.jpg

Surprised you didn't take the cleaning kit up with you. ;)

[G]

Looks like an ideal time to get some serious cleaning of the rest of the bike done... Access all areas :D

at least when it's done it will be like new.

[rictus01]

Blimey that's a bit harsh Pete, I guess there aren't many around with high mileage, but 36k isn't much, have you asked if ducati have had this issue before? what year of manufacture is your bike?

Cheers Mark.

[Lissa]

Blimey that's a bit harsh Pete, I guess there aren't many around with high mileage, but 36k isn't much, have you asked if ducati have had this issue before? what year of manufacture is your bike?

Cheers Mark.


Hi Mark,

This is genuinely a very rare thing, that has got a few mechanics scratching their heads over what could have caused it. It's been a topic of conversation all over the place! :D

It's a 2001 996, so the last but one year of the model.

[rictus01]

the only reason I asked was I'd not heard of that particular issue before was all.

2001 was still in the TPG years, Ducati was strapped for cash and changed suppliers to make savings, so suffered a fair degree of quality issues, I'm just wondering if a batch of castings was outsourced ?

worth an ask I think, still a real shame as I love that shape Ducati, I personally don't think they have ever bettered it.

Cheers Mark.

[punyXpress]

How's the rebuild going, pete'n'Lissa ?
Hope all OK & no more surprises.

[petevtwin650]

still a real shame as I love that shape Ducati, I personally don't think they have ever bettered it.

Cheers Mark.

Got to agree on the looks, Mark

How's the rebuild going, pete'n'Lissa ?
Hope all OK & no more surprises.

Waiting to hear what is found when the old crankcases are split, David. If it's all ok and there is no unexpected damage, then it's full steam ahead. Should hear in the next few days.

[Sosha]

Strewth that's seriously rubbish peeps. Hope you can get it not unreasonably sorted. Kind of underlines why I could never own a duke though. (Apart from the whole feet ground thing)

Now running 2 for 2 on the duke disasters of personal aquaintence. :(

Tis the prettiest motorcycle ever made though.


If it's all ok and there is no unexpected damage, then it's full steam ahead. Should hear in the next few days.

Fingers crossed - If it isn't TL1000 lump FTW.....at least it's cold and raining out.

[yorkie_chris]

With that amount of play I'd be worried for the gearbox. Sure your man knows what to look for though :-)

[Lissa]

With that amount of play I'd be worried for the gearbox. Sure your man knows what to look for though :-)

Yes, he does.

[yorkie_chris]

Now running 2 for 2 on the duke disasters of personal aquaintence. :(

Britney has a 749 and his isn't on fire (yet) :p

[G]

Britney has a 749 and his isn't on fire (yet) :p

Rumor has it several other vehicles he has owned have spontaneously combusted, he a bookies favourite

[Mr Speirs]

Ah bah blah blah blah!!! Balls to you lot!!! :)

Ducati is running lovely thanks :) Not on fire yet!!! I only seem to have fire 'incidents' when I own more than one type of vehicle :)

[petevtwin650]

This engine, just on Ebay, would fit after some mods, and would give us a few more horsepower, but look at the starting price :shock:. And the guy mentioned in the ad, is our engine guy :D

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DUCATI-998S-ENGINE_W0QQitemZ260551287593QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_ Motorcycle_Parts?hash=item3caa112329

[speedplay]

Hes not going to list it for less as he knows your in the market for one pete ;(

[petevtwin650]

Hes not going to list it for less as he knows your in the market for one pete ;(

Not ridden a 998, but they are allegedly more Japan-isy to ride. Smoother and a bit of low end torque traded for lots of extra top end power. We like the raw, rugged (yes I know =;) feel of our engine. Plus we would have to have the slab sided fairings, and we don't like them either :smt101

[speedplay]

do you have an update on the engine yet though pete?
I know you had decided to rebuild it abut didnt know if there was any further damage or worn parts.

[dizzyblonde]

Cripes, not seen this thread since before we went on holiday. Trust you two to find one with a rare problem. :-(

Hope your man gets you back on the road soon.

[petevtwin650]

do you have an update on the engine yet though pete?
I know you had decided to rebuild it abut didnt know if there was any further damage or worn parts.

We are still waiting for the fateful call, Rob. Jeff was very positive that the engine internals would be ok. He was waiting to measure up the bits, but did say the Sprag clutch is a bit worn. That's over a 100 quid on it's own, but it's pointless assembling the engine with a semi-knackered one as you can imagine.

Cripes, not seen this thread since before we went on holiday. Trust you two to find one with a rare problem. :-(

Hope your man gets you back on the road soon.

Thanks for that DB :)

[dizzyblonde]

sorry to be a bit thick, but theres so many pages of peoples opinions and comments whats exactly knackered on it?

[petevtwin650]

sorry to be a bit thick, but theres so many pages of peoples opinions and comments whats exactly knackered on it?

DB, this thread on Ducatisti, shows it quite well.

http://www.ducatisti.co.uk/forum/ducati-996/42572-996-play-gearbox-shaft.html

Bike went in for a service, with no problems at all. Gear changes had been fine. In fact Jeff was horrified when I told him the speeds I been doing on the way over to him ;) Not sure yet why it happened, just grateful that it didn't lock the gearbox up.

[ThEGr33k]

Get a 1098, man for pretty reasonable money (compared to older ducati models too) you can get a damn nice one cheap... £8500 for one with less than 4K miles on! Got to say id be tempted :D

[petevtwin650]

Get a 1098, man for pretty reasonable money (compared to older ducati models too) you can get a damn nice one cheap... £8500 for one with less than 4K miles on! Got to say id be tempted :D

8.5k is over twice what we paid for our bike, plus they will keep depreciating, and how about this thread to make you think twice?

http://www.ducatisti.co.uk/forum/ducati-1098/42727-not-great-start-tothe-2010-biking-year.html

Imagine if you'd not been the original owner and Ducati ignored your pleas for help.

Plus it looks like a Blade and the pillion seat is not designed for someone short of leg.

[G]

and the pillion seat is not designed for someone short of leg.


That looks carefully worded... What did it say before the edit. ;)

[fizzwheel]

Plus it looks like a Blade

He's right you know it does.

[ThEGr33k]

Heh, that does sound a little crappy! At least it sounds like Duke are going to be backing him up... Got to say its the legendary Duke reliability im not too sure about, but at least it seems like they look after customers?

[-Ralph-]

That looks carefully worded... What did it say before the edit. ;)

the pillion seat is not designed for Pixies

:D

[yorkie_chris]

He was waiting to measure up the bits, but did say the Sprag clutch is a bit worn. That's over a 100 quid on it's own, but it's pointless assembling the engine with a semi-knackered one as you can imagine.

Where is the sprag clutch on those grena... i mean motors?

At least with the sort of use you give, that is an understressed part. With keeping it in house and doing proper trips out it will get used as designed and rarely.


http://www.ducatisti.co.uk/forum/ducati-1098/42727-not-great-start-tothe-2010-biking-year.html

Funny, I have reassembled a GSXR11 motor which had rust on cams. guy is knocking on toward 30k now and all valves are still in spec at last check :smt005

[Lissa]

That looks carefully worded... What did it say before the edit. ;)

Lol. He wouldn't dare! It was edited to add the comment about the 1098.

:D

You, my lad, are in BIG trouble! :D

[Alpinestarhero]

DB, this thread on Ducatisti, shows it quite well.

http://www.ducatisti.co.uk/forum/ducati-996/42572-996-play-gearbox-shaft.html

Bike went in for a service, with no problems at all. Gear changes had been fine. In fact Jeff was horrified when I told him the speeds I been doing on the way over to him ;) Not sure yet why it happened, just grateful that it didn't lock the gearbox up.

My dad wants to get a 996 o rsimilar; I'll warn him to check this if he decides to go ahead. Thats a massive amount of movement :eek:

[-Ralph-]

You, my lad, are in BIG trouble! :D

WHAT?? It's a compliment!

Have e’er you seen the Pixies, the fold not blest or banned?
They walk upon the waters; they sail upon the land,
They make the green grass greener where’er their footsteps fall,
The wildest hind in the forest comes at their call.
They steal from bolted linneys, they milk the key at grass,
The maids are kissed a-milking, and no one hears them pass.
They flit from byre to stable and ride unbroken foals,
They seek out human lovers to win them souls.
The Pixies know no sorrow, the Pixies feel no fear,
They take no care for harvest or seedtime of the year;
Age lays no finger on them, the reaper time goes by
The Pixies, they who change not, grow old or die.
The Pixies though they love us, behold us pass away,
And are not sad for flowers they gathered yesterday,
To-day has crimson foxglove.
If purple hose-in-hose withered last night
To-morrow will have its rose.

[Lissa]

WHAT?? It's a compliment!

Have e’er you seen the Pixies, the fold not blest or banned?
They walk upon the waters; they sail upon the land,
They make the green grass greener where’er their footsteps fall,
The wildest hind in the forest comes at their call.
They steal from bolted linneys, they milk the key at grass,
The maids are kissed a-milking, and no one hears them pass.
They flit from byre to stable and ride unbroken foals,
They seek out human lovers to win them souls.
The Pixies know no sorrow, the Pixies feel no fear,
They take no care for harvest or seedtime of the year;
Age lays no finger on them, the reaper time goes by
The Pixies, they who change not, grow old or die.
The Pixies though they love us, behold us pass away,
And are not sad for flowers they gathered yesterday,
To-day has crimson foxglove.
If purple hose-in-hose withered last night
To-morrow will have its rose.

Only on Org can a thread go from servicing costs to poetry!

Nice attempt at a recovery, by the way! :p

[Lissa]

Where is the sprag clutch

It's inside the engine cases, similar to some Triumphs, so the cases have to be split to get to it.

[yorkie_chris]

Yes, ouch indeed.

At least with a race developed bike it should be easy to take apart lol

[ThEGr33k]

Man, some of these things that are happening make me really appreciate rotax... You can get at pretty much everything but to the crank without splitting the casings. Go rotax.

[Skip]

Man, some of these things that are happening make me really appreciate rotax... You can get at pretty much everything but to the crank without splitting the casings. Go rotax.
You do make me laugh Nick! :lol: Is there ever a technical thread where you don't pedal the virtues of riding an Aprilia?! :lol:

:smt101

[punyXpress]

Yep!
The chain fell off on the motorway one.

[ThEGr33k]

You do make me laugh Nick! :lol: Is there ever a technical thread where you don't pedal the virtues of riding an Aprilia?! :lol:

:smt101

Maybe??? ok no, probably not. :( Im shameless, I just didnt realise the motorwas so accessable compared to others! Sorry. ;)

Yep!
The chain fell off on the motorway one.

Ha ha, that was an after market chain failing. You might be interested to know that the company that manufactured it went under not so shortly after I bought it! :rolleyes:

[petevtwin650]

Yes, ouch indeed.

At least with a race developed bike it should be easy to take apart lol

I don't think the engine was developed with racing in mind Chris, but the chassis and running gear were, so the engine can be dropped out in next to no time. Bizarrely though, officially you need to drop out the lump to swap the swingarm, which does seem odd for racing.

Man, some of these things that are happening make me really appreciate rotax... You can get at pretty much everything but to the crank without splitting the casings. Go rotax.

That Rotax lump is a great engine but doesn't the engine needed to be dropped to do the valve clearances? Officially, at least ;)

[dyzio]

That Rotax lump is a great engine but doesn't the engine needed to be dropped to do the valve clearances? Officially, at least ;)

Don't know if it does, but this could explain the "official" price for the valve check :smt101

Any rough idea if Dukedoph will be back on the road?

[ThEGr33k]

I don't think the engine was developed with racing in mind Chris, but the chassis and running gear were, so the engine can be dropped out in next to no time. Bizarrely though, officially you need to drop out the lump to swap the swingarm, which does seem odd for racing.



That Rotax lump is a great engine but doesn't the engine needed to be dropped to do the valve clearances? Officially, at least ;)

Don't know if it does, but this could explain the "official" price for the valve check :smt101

Any rough idea if Dukedoph will be back on the road?

Not that I know, manual says that best practice is to remove the tank to get to the rear and have some space, but that isnt really necessary.

But anyway back to your Duc, any news?

[Lissa]

You do make me laugh Nick! :lol: Is there ever a technical thread where you don't pedal the virtues of riding an Aprilia?! :lol:

:smt101

I do love you, Skip!

Yep!
The chain fell off on the motorway one.

And you!



Any rough idea if Dukedoph will be back on the road?

Dukedolph? Not until December! ;)



But anyway back to your Duc, any news?

Nope, nothing yet. Will ring tomorrow for an update.

[yorkie_chris]

I don't think the engine was developed with racing in mind Chris, but the chassis and running gear were, so the engine can be dropped out in next to no time. Bizarrely though, officially you need to drop out the lump to swap the swingarm, which does seem odd for racing.

Oh right I thought the single sided arm was an endurance racing throwback

[Alpinestarhero]

Oh right I thought the single sided arm was an endurance racing throwback

indeedily it was; the french factory honda endurance team used single sided swingarms first for ease of rear tyre changes in the 80's i think. Honda liked the concept that they carried in with their endurance racers until they stopped using the RC45. The dude who designed the 916 liked the look of single sided swingarms after looking at the hondas, hence they found their way onto the 916. Natrully, it was of prettier form

all in that great book by julian ryder on honda V4's

[fastdruid]

Honda stopped using it on the RC45 towards the end.

Druid

[ThEGr33k]

indeedily it was; the french factory honda endurance team used single sided swingarms first for ease of rear tyre changes in the 80's i think. Honda liked the concept that they carried in with their endurance racers until they stopped using the RC45. The dude who designed the 916 liked the look of single sided swingarms after looking at the hondas, hence they found their way onto the 916. Natrully, it was of prettier form

all in that great book by julian ryder on honda V4's


Yea, on the Honda's it was the case... I think the Ducati's its always been about the looks of it.

:rolleyes:

[Alpinestarhero]

Honda stopped using it on the RC45 towards the end.

Druid

Even in endurance racing? I thought that was just sprint races like WSBK?

[fastdruid]

Even in endurance racing? I thought that was just sprint races like WSBK?

I can't remember about endurance, they certainly lost it in WSBK.

As for that matter did Ducati with IIRC the 999.

Druid

[kellyjo]

Hows the bike Pete/Lissa? Are you gonna make it on the 7th?

[petevtwin650]

Hows the bike Pete/Lissa? Are you gonna make it on the 7th?

If I'd have answered that question yesterday the answer would have been, unlikely KJ, but as of this evening the answer is, probably :)

[kellyjo]

Yay:smt041

[petevtwin650]

Got the call this morning that the bike was all fixed and ready to go.

Must say, when we got over to Jeff's we were astounded how clean it was. I've picked up new bikes that were dirtier than ours was today.

On top of the new crankcases, it's had all the valve seats re-cut,and the valves lapped in, heads de-coked and the squish maximised. Also, we had a black swingarm that we won off of Ebay some time ago, so that was fitted with new bearings too. New pasivated bolts were used throughout. Unfortunately the weather turned wet, but declining Jeffs offer of dropping it home, we ventured out. Just 60 miles or so as it was getting late, but my god, the bike feels so much nippier. Obviously partly due to the service and not having ridden it for a few weeks, but also due to the combustion chambers working more efficiently.

Cannot praise Jeff and Wayne enough for all they have done. They have treated our bike just as if it were their bike. We couldn't ask for more.

Also, on top of everything else, photos were taken as the rebuild progressed, which we thought was a very nice touch. When you look at the pics you can see the amount of care and time that this has taken.

So we've got a bike that, with fingers crossed, should do another 30k, with only servicing and sundry items that will need doing.:D

Spot the difference

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i184/petevtwin650/Ducati/rebuild/rebuildjeffspics018.jpg

Yeuky

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i184/petevtwin650/Ducati/rebuild/rebuildjeffspics016.jpg

Shiny

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i184/petevtwin650/Ducati/rebuild/rebuildjeffspics027.jpg

Using one of those measuring thingies

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i184/petevtwin650/Ducati/rebuild/rebuildjeffspics025.jpg

Gearbox in place

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i184/petevtwin650/Ducati/rebuild/rebuildjeffspics020.jpg

Crank in

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i184/petevtwin650/Ducati/rebuild/rebuildjeffspics032.jpg

Assembled heads

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i184/petevtwin650/Ducati/rebuild/rebuildjeffspics036.jpg

Squish

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i184/petevtwin650/Ducati/rebuild/rebuildjeffspics037.jpg

Hanging by a thread

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i184/petevtwin650/Ducati/rebuild/rebuildjeffspics034.jpg

Swingarm and engine in

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i184/petevtwin650/Ducati/rebuild/rebuildjeffspics055.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i184/petevtwin650/Ducati/rebuild/rebuild011.jpg

Wayne hard at work

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i184/petevtwin650/Ducati/rebuild/rebuildjeffspics074.jpg

The finished article

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i184/petevtwin650/Ducati/rebuild/rebuild019.jpg

[Alpinestarhero]

a happy ending :D

Its quite amazing the dirt and discolouraition caused by use. Those valve heads....ewww! I wonder what my SV ones are like! My dad is doing top-end work at the moment....maybe I could ask him to clean my valve heads up...

...i think he'd have a few expletives to say though!

Roll on 2010 for pete and lissssssa!

[Seggons]

Woo Hoo great news. Really good to hear your both back on the road. :riding:

[ThEGr33k]

Coooool! How dirty were the valves and head!? Was that carbon or Oil? Looks a bit moist :S

Anyway, glad to hear it is all back together and in top condition. Here is to more than 30k miles with no more problems :D

Note: quite surprised that it has bearings on the crank... Pretty sure most arnt these days.

[dizzyblonde]

Full rebuild!!!!
So, how long will it take to run it all in? Apart from how long this weather takes to go ;-)

Seeing that, makes me want to take Suzys engine and have a reputable person, strip, mend, rebuild and respray. Yes shes still under the stairs, one day, i want her back as a whole matching numbers bike(but thats kinda wishful thinking :-()

[Lissa]

Thanks peeps. The bike felt ferkin awesome on the way home. God, I've missed it! :D

Oh, the stuff on the heads is carbon cleaner!

Dizz, we are allegedly having to take it easy for a while. ;)

[dizzyblonde]

Well make sure you do ;-)

[Dicky Ticker]

May I give you a little tip-----------DON'T RUN IT ON DIESEL;)

[ThEGr33k]

One sec, is it me or the dirty and clean heads different heads? Am I just getting confused? :S

Out of interest (if you dont mind saying) was it as expensive as you expected?

[Icanopit]

Good news Lissa & Pete, see you soon.

JOHN

[missyburd]

Yey great news! Glad the Duke is back to its normal self :-D Look forward to seeing it (and you both of course ;-) ) at the GM! (don't think we'll be seeing you before will we...?)

[petevtwin650]

May I give you a little tip-----------DON'T RUN IT ON DIESEL;)

Oi, I dunno what you mean! :scratch: [-(

Lissa watches me like a hawk at every fuel stop. :lol:

One sec, is it me or the dirty and clean heads different heads? Am I just getting confused? :S

Out of interest (if you dont mind saying) was it as expensive as you expected?

My bad. The wrong pic was used. I'd like to say deliberately, but that wouldn't be wholly true :rolleyes:

Amended now. Thanks for the heads up TG.

[ThEGr33k]

My bad. The wrong pic was used. I'd like to say deliberately, but that wouldn't be wholly true :rolleyes:

Amended now. Thanks for the heads up TG.


Ah cool. Just wanted to be sure... There is cleaning and then there is CLEANING! :cool:

Enjoy!!!

[petevtwin650]

Another comment I'd like to make is that my cases were 500 quid, if you were daft enough to use brand new crankcases on an SV they would set you back over three times that. That is a truly scary price. To be fair Jeff had had the cases for some time, so they may be that sort of price, or more, now.

[Bluefish]

Back on the road, well done, although the bill must have been truly scary. you had better take it a bit easier from now on lol. :D:D:D

[G]

Good stuff, back on the road just in time.

The man has some talent for dukes that's for sure.

[-Ralph-]

Never nice to see a bike die...

This one lives :smt041

Glad you got it sorted.

[Lissa]

Good news Lissa & Pete, see you soon.

JOHN

Thanks John. :)

Yey great news! Glad the Duke is back to its normal self :-D Look forward to seeing it (and you both of course ;-) ) at the GM! (don't think we'll be seeing you before will we...?)

Unless you and YC can make the April NW weekend, if that goes ahead, then it probably will be GMIII. Nothing much else seems to be in the pipelines on Org at the moment. .

Back on the road, well done, although the bill must have been truly scary. you had better take it a bit easier from now on lol. :D:D:D

The bill was high, but still cheaper and possibly far safer than buying another bike we didn't know the history of. And we always take it easy! :p

Good stuff, back on the road just in time.

The man has some talent for dukes that's for sure.

Never nice to see a bike die...

This one lives :smt041

Glad you got it sorted.

When we first heard of the problem and thought we couldn't afford to do the repair, Jeff said that he couldn't bear to just see us fade into obscurity. When we collected the bike yesterday we thanked him for everything and said he must be glad to be seeing the back of us and the bike. :D He replied 'No way. You're part of the family'

We did wonder if he meant the slightly strange Aunt and Uncle that no-one invites to family gatherings, but it was a nice thing for him to say!

[dizzyblonde]

But aren't you two the strange org Aunt and Uncle?:smt073
Kidding8-[:p

Does he rebuild SV engines?

Or know someone trustworthy that does?

[ThEGr33k]

But aren't you two the strange org Aunt and Uncle?:smt073
Kidding8-[:p

Does he rebuild SV engines?

Or know someone trustworthy that does?

What you saying about Orky Chris? :p